College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

117 Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region
7,683 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$51,373 Avg Early-Career Salary
Special Education is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #29 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 117 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 7,683 degrees in special education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Special Education School

Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region Your choice of special education school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Special Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Special Education Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Special Ed
Bachelor's Degrees in Special Ed
Master's Degrees in Special Ed
Doctor's Degrees in Special Ed

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Special Education in the Middle Atlantic Region

The schools below may not offer all types of special ed degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

17 Top Middle Atlantic Region Schools in Special Ed

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$77,922 Median Starting Salary

Teachers College at Columbia University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in special education. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.

There were about 69 special education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from Teachers College at Columbia University make $26,549 more than the average special ed student.

More information about a degree in special education from Teachers College at Columbia University

2
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
360 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
0.8% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in special education needs to check out Hunter College. Located in the large city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a very large student population. This college ranks 19th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 360 special education students who graduated with this degree at Hunter in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from Hunter College earn a boost of around $17,941 over the average earnings of special education graduates.

More information about a degree in special education from Hunter College

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
14.5% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat George Washington University if you wish to pursue a degree in special education. GWU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 62 special education students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from George Washington University get an earnings boost of approximately $7,376 over the typical income of special education graduates.

More information about a degree in special education from George Washington University

4
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
231 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
13.0% Growth in Graduates

Towson University is a good decision for students interested in a degree in special education. Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #248 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Towson is a great university overall.

There were about 231 special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the special ed program make about $52,223 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in special education from Towson University

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
47 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
42.6% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were roughly 47 special education students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University receive an earnings boost of about $13,850 over the average income of special education graduates.

More information about a degree in special education from Johns Hopkins University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
151 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
12.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Ewing, TCNJ is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #251 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means TCNJ is a great college overall.

There were about 151 special education students who graduated with this degree at TCNJ in the most recent year we have data available. Special Education degree recipients from The College of New Jersey earn a boost of approximately $5,781 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.

More information about a degree in special education from The College of New Jersey

7
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$52,873 Median Starting Salary

Syracuse is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse. A Best Colleges rank of #132 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Syracuse is a great university overall.

There were approximately 64 special education students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, special ed degree recipients typically make about $52,873 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in special education from Syracuse University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
39.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #109 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Fordham U is a great university overall.

There were roughly 68 special education students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the special education major at Fordham University earn $10,800 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in special education from Fordham University

9
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
244 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
27.5% Growth in Graduates

Brooklyn College is a large public college located in the large city of Brooklyn. This college ranks 34th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 243.99999999999997 special education students who graduated with this degree at Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Those special education students who get their degree from Brooklyn College make $16,625 more than the typical special ed graduate.

More information about a degree in special education from Brooklyn College

10
Touro crest
Touro College
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
645 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
10.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New York, Touro is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 31st out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 645 special education students who graduated with this degree at Touro in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from Touro College earn $9,554 more than the standard special ed student.

More information about a degree in special education from Touro College

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
152 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
$47,077 Median Starting Salary

WCUPA is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of West Chester. A Best Colleges rank of #241 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WCUPA is a great university overall.

There were about 152 special education students who graduated with this degree at WCUPA in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the special ed program earn about $47,077 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in special education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania

12
Lehman crest
Lehman College
Bronx, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
26.4% Growth in Graduates

Lehman is a fairly large public college located in the city of Bronx. This college ranks 57th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 87 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lehman in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from Lehman College get an earnings boost of about $15,581 above the average income of special education graduates.

More information about a degree in special education from Lehman College

13

UMCP is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 29 special education students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program report average early career wages of $52,614.

More information about a degree in special education from University of Maryland - College Park

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
43.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of New York, Bank Street College of Education is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were roughly 55 special education students who graduated with this degree at Bank Street College of Education in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from Bank Street College of Education make $10,579 more than the typical special ed grad.

More information about a degree in special education from Bank Street College of Education

15
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
11.5% Growth in Graduates

St. Joe's is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #157 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means St. Joe's is a great university overall.

There were roughly 157 special education students who graduated with this degree at St. Joe's in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $49,145.

More information about a degree in special education from Saint Joseph’s University

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
143 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
61.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of New York, CCNY is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 40th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 143 special education students who graduated with this degree at CCNY in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from The City College of New York receive an earnings boost of around $19,676 over the typical earnings of special education majors.

More information about a degree in special education from The City College of New York

17
Rowan crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 Special Ed Degrees Awarded
19.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Glassboro, Rowan is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were approximately 71 special education students who graduated with this degree at Rowan in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the special education program at Rowan University earn $6,372 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in special education from Rowan University


 

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Special Education students in the Middle Atlantic Region that almost earned our Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
18 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
19 LIU Post Brookville, NY
20 Manhattanville College Purchase, NY
21 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
22 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
23 New York University New York, NY
24 Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA
25 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA

Best Special Education Colleges by State

Explore the best special education schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 334 1,757
New York 333 4,110
Maryland 279 337
New Jersey 273 722
District of Columbia 188 88
Delaware 175 165

View All Rankings >

Special Education is one of 14 different types of Education programs to choose from.

Special Ed Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 3,815
Elementary Special Education 1,420
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 949
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 595
Other Special Education & Teaching 350
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 110
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 101
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 84
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 57
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 56

View All Special Ed Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 14,191
Teacher Education Subject Specific 8,830
Educational Administration 7,875
General Education 3,893
Student Counseling 2,170
Teaching English or French 1,505
Teaching Assistants 1,247
Instructional Media Design 1,179
Curriculum & Instruction 1,050
Other Education 737

View All Special Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options